Reinbeck celebrates 5th anniversary of art festival with special events

REINBECK – For the group of local artists and art-lovers that envisioned an art festival of their own, celebrating five years of the Reinbeck Art Festival is a big deal.
Co-Founder and artist Marion Boyer: “Our journey to celebrating five years of having the Reinbeck Art Festival has been one of hard work, shared effort, creative ideas, and joy. The effort of transforming the dream into the reality of the festival started as a committee of two, which immediately progressed to three, and then continued as a group of “six plus the community”. The story is heartwarming in my thoughts. A handful of dedicated volunteers and a city employee worked together, and continue to work together under the umbrella of the Reinbeck Economic Development Committee, to bring in artists, create additional activities, hire musicians and other entertainment, and secure the support of the businesses and the community.”
The Fifth Annual Reinbeck Art Festival will have indoor/outdoor locations in Downtown Reinbeck on Saturday, September 24, 2016, from 9 am to 4 pm. A rain location is planned if needed. With 27 artists both indoors and out, this juried festival is a cozy opportunity see and buy a variety of media including ceramics, digital art, drawing, glass, jewelry, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, watercolor, wood, and fiber.
Artist and marketing wing of the festival Julie Russell-Steuart is excited about the current crop of artists, “We are welcoming fifteen new artists this year. I’m proud that the festival provides a local opportunity for creatives to show their work and offers art patrons a unique selection.”
This year’s special events include the Midwest Glampers, a retro RV camper group, who are, according to Glamper Lydia Robertson, “a group of women from all walks of life that enjoy camping and showing our personality through our campers as a medium.” The Cedar Valley Corvette Club Show & Shine will also be rolling in all day.
Art activities for kids and a Zendoodle project for ages 10 and up make it easy to get creative. The ever-popular tunes of Kirk Eastman will also be back this year.
New this year, Minneapolis Musician Matt Hannah comes to the outdoor stage. Singer-songwriter Matt Hannah hails from the Midwest, but spent time fronting a rock band in New York before he honed his acoustic, melancholy-country spin on Americana-folk music.
Broad Street Brewing Company hosts Becktoberfest the same weekend, with a full schedule of fun events and live music at the Brewery. Owner/Brewmaster Trevor Schellhorn is brewing up a beer especially to commemorate the 5th Anniversary. A drawing for a growler of the special brew will be held.
The Reinbeck Art Festival’s Facebook page is having a weekly drawing for a $10 gift certificate starting the first week of August and continuing up to the festival. To enter, follow the page to see the post and instructions. The certificate can be used toward an art purchase at the festival.
During the festival, patrons can enter a drawing every hour to win a gift certificate for $25 for an art purchase.